6 Computer Village Traders Arrested Over Attack On 2 Police Officers

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered for the arrest of 6 traders at the ICT hub, Computer Village, Ikeja area of the State, who allegedly masterminded the attack on two Police officers and recorded them on video as thieves, which had gone viral on social media.

P.M.EXPRESS findings revealed that the two officers were actually on lawful duties but were tagged as thieves, assaulted and Police vehicles were also vandalized during the attack.

The names of the suspects behind the dastardly act were not disclosed because the matter was still under investigation but the traders confirmed the arrest.

The Police boss had earlier condemned the act and described the viral video, where two Policemen were attacked and alleged to have stolen mobile phones, as false.

He condemned the falsified content of the viral video in a statement signed by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer on Tuesday.

He said that the incident, which he described as mischievous, allegedly happened at the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos.

“The authors of the referred viral video painted the incident mischievously and in a bad light with an attempt to ridicule the entire Nigeria Police Force.”

“The Policemen never went to buy phones, neither were they caught in any act of theft at the Computer Village.”
“The HP Electronics Company’s Task Force on piracy with the Police operatives were on a routine operation against piracy and sub-standard products in the market,” he said.

The CP said that some hoodlums, in a bid to distract and halt the anti-piracy operation, created a scene by attacking the team and passing uncomplimentary remarks on the Policemen.

“The team was eventually chased away by the hoodlums and did not allow the operation to succeed, due to their criminal tendencies.”
“The Policemen were not thieves, but operatives on official and legal operation, contrary to the wrong impression painted by the originators of the fake video on social media.”
“The State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) is investigating the theft allegation and attacks on the Policemen and the team,” he said.

CP Odumosu said this type of false allegation and attack on Police operatives was the third of its kind in recent times in the same Computer Village.

“The Command will not tolerate any act of criminality and lawlessness in any part of the state.”
“The general public must desist from launching attacks on the Police and other security agents; and peddling fake news that will dent our national integrity and honour, which we all guard jealously,” he said.

It was on the basis of the attack that the Police boss ordered the investigation and so far six of them have been arrested while investigation is ongoing to get to the root of the matter.

Traders inside the Computer Village confirmed the incident and P.M.EXPRESS gathered that they had been running up and down on how to secure bail for the suspects who may likely be charged to Court.